FARGO -- A court challenge to put medical marijuana to a vote failed Wednesday when the North Dakota Supreme Court rejected the case. The court's denial means elections officials around the state can go ahead and print an estimated 400,000 to 450,000 ballots for the Nov. 6 election as scheduled. The issue of whether the ballots could be printed in time for absentee and military voters arose when proponents of medical marijuana sued in an effort to put the issue back on the ballot. [continues 408 words]
Montana politicians are misleading the public, including North Dakota citizens. On Sunday, The Dickinson Press published a report about the Montana medical marijuana program as it relates to the upcoming ballot issue in North Dakota, quoting Montana Sen. Donald Steinbeisser, R-Sidney, as saying, "The problem we had in Montana, before the last session, over half of the people that were using medical marijuana cards were 20- to 30-year-olds. You know dog-gone well there's something wrong with that." [continues 344 words]
As Secretary of State Al Jaeger reviews a medical marijuana ballot initiative, a Montana state legislator recommends sending it through the state assembly. In 2004, Montana passed a medical marijuana initiative through a general election which was hard to regulate, said Montana State Sen. Donald Steinbeisser, R-Sidney. "The problem we had in Montana, before the last session, over half of the people that were using medical marijuana cards were 20- to 30-year-olds," he said. "You know dog-gone well there's something wrong with that." [continues 754 words]
BISMARCK -- Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in North Dakota turned in a proposed initiative Tuesday to put the issue on the November ballot. With voters' approval, the initiative would allow someone who suffers from a debilitating illness to use marijuana with a doctor's permission. It lists cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, glaucoma and other illnesses as examples of debilitating conditions. The chairman of the initiative effort, state Rep. Steve Zaiser, D-Fargo, said he believed people with chronic pain would qualify. [continues 331 words]
A Jury Acquitted Arturas Teras, WHO Was Accused of Possessing Nearly 50 Pounds of Marijuana, After Less Than an Hour of Deliberation Thursday Afternoon at the Stark County Courthouse. Donatas Jasiulionis was supposed to stand trial with Teras, but he skipped back to their native country, officials said. "He voluntarily deported back to Lithuania before the trial," said Kelly Armstrong, Jasiulionis's attorney. "If he ever comes back into the country, they'll arrest him immediately." Tom Henning, Stark County state's attorney, said an arrest warrant was issued for Jasiulionis, but officials will likely not extradite him. [continues 295 words]
The Amount of Methamphetamine in the Area Is on the Rise, According To the Southwest Narcotics Task Force. Because of the nature of their work, three SWNTF officers who were interviewed by The Press asked that their names not be used. "I think the amount of money that's in the area now, that's what's making the meth come back," a task force officer said. Officers said they are still finding prescription drugs, which has been an issue for several years, but that meth is now more prevalent. [continues 372 words]
For all of the keen intellect that President Obama showed in his online town-hall meeting, he didn't seem to know much about reefer economics. When asked whether legalizing marijuana might be a stimulus for the economy and job creation, he played the question for laughs. "I don't know what this says about the online audience," he quipped as his studio audience chuckled and groaned. "But ... this was a fairly popular question. We want to make sure that it was answered," he said. [continues 723 words]
As you know from my last ad in The Dickinson Press, I don't use marijuana in any form; however, I support legalization of marijuana for medicinal and industrial purposes. My convictions are based on years of research. But I don't want you to take my word for it, consider what others say. Famed newsman Hugh Downs recently wrote that some believe the production of marijuana (hemp) by farmers could save the U.S. economy. "It is estimated that methane and methanol production alone from hemp grown as biomass could replace 90% of the world's energy needs. If they are right it is is not good news for oil interests and could account for the continuation of marijuana prohibition. The claim is that the threat hemp posed to natural resource companies back in the thirties accounts for its original ban." For more on Downs' stand go to my website and learn how Ford Motor Company once used marijuana to make methanal, a cheap, clean renewable fuel. [continues 399 words]
BUT WHY? There's a natural drug that controls nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This same drug effectively controls muscle spasms of multiple sclerosis and some seizures in epilepsy. And this drug improves the appetite and the disturbed behavior of those suffering from Alzheimers. The problem is, this drug is banned by the government. Get caught taking it and you'll be arrested. This drug is cannabis or marijuana. It is a very safe and effective pain reliever with very few side effects. [continues 956 words]
